British potato production up as growers win battle with the weather

The total harvest of British potatoes this year will be 5.3m tonnes according to provisional estimates – up two point eight per cent (2.8%) on last year’s figure but just below the five-year average of 5.4m tonnes.

This estimate by the AHDB market intelligence team has been released during a time when growers have battled an exceptionally wet harvest period for the second year running.

They have fared better than last year, as on 10 November it was estimated that two per cent of the planted area was yet to be lifted. This compares with 11 per cent of the crop that was estimated to be unlifted on 12 November 2019.

This production figure follows their estimate that the planted area this year is the third lowest on record.

Alice Bailey, Senior Analyst:

"This overall net yield sits in line with the five-year national average (2015-2019). Anecdotal reports suggest that yields have been somewhat variable from farm to farm, even field to field. Yet overall, crops are within farm expectations so it is not surprising that the national yield is in line with recent years."

"We saw planted area drop by two point three per cent this year, yet we are estimating a two point eight per cent rise in production. This is based on both a slight increase in yields year-on-year and the fact that a large area was left unharvested last year."

"The unlifted area in 2019 was estimated at six per cent, whereas in 2018 less than one per cent was estimated to be left in the ground and we would anticipate similar this year."

It was also noted that the estimate could be amended in the coming weeks, with 2.1Kha still to harvest in the East of England, and some members of the 450 strong AHDB Grower Panel still to return their survey information.

Winter marketing campaign

Meanwhile, Potatoes Strategy Director Rob Clayton announced that they will be launching another promotional campaign in reaction to the market conditions caused by the coronavirus. This follows on from a similar campaign in the summer that reached 5 million shoppers via catch-up TV, social media and display advertising.

Rob Clayton:

“Since the pandemic hit we have increased the amount of data we analyse from supermarkets and other areas of the marketplace. While potato sales at retail are up eight to nine per cent overall."

Analysis from Kantar Worldpanel shows baking potatoes lagging behind at a rise of three per cent.

Rob Clayton:

"Jacket potatoes are a fantastic, healthy and cost-effective option for families, so we will be launching a winter campaign to inspire shoppers to take advantage of all the great things they can do with bakers."